The Ogun State Administration has taken steps to partially dismantle the DATKEM Plaza in Ijebu Ode, reportedly the property of Mrs. Olufunke Daniel, spouse of former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The plaza was flagged by the government as an unauthorized edifice lacking proper permissions, thus breaching state regulations.
In a statement released on Sunday by Olayiwola Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, he highlighted that the plaza had multiple infractions against the state’s building codes.
Abiodun emphasized that the government had attempted multiple times to halt ongoing construction at the site. These attempts were continually overlooked by the developers. A call was made to the building’s structural engineer to examine the building’s integrity, but this too was neglected.
The Permanent Secretary challenged the property’s proprietors to present evidence of any official approval they might have. On the other hand, Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), representing the former governor’s wife, expressed concerns that the state government overlooked relevant legal documents presented to them which advised against the plaza’s demolition.
In a twist to the narrative, Kotoye unveiled that the state’s action was seemingly executed under the guise of political maneuvering with suspected political agents, purportedly backed by police officials.
Highlighting the building’s history, the Permanent Secretary shared that DATKEM Enterprises Limited began the plaza’s construction in 2009. The building was intended to be a five-floor structure with specific design parameters. However, during regular checks, deviations from the original design were discovered, leading to a series of notices being issued.
Mrs. Olufunke Daniel, through her legal spokesperson, expressed her disappointment at the state’s actions, emphasizing that the move was a surprise, especially given the legal dialogues that were in progress.
Yet, Olusegun Lawal, the project manager overseeing the plaza’s development, stated that the construction began in 2009 with all necessary approvals. He refuted the government’s claims, insisting that the construction adhered to all stipulations.
As the situation unfolds, Chief Segun Sowunmi, a former gubernatorial candidate, penned an open letter to President Bola Tinubu. He expressed his reservations about the state’s actions and raised concerns about the region’s safety and governance under the current leadership.
In a concluding note, an insider from Governor Abiodun’s camp defended the state’s actions. He stressed the importance of ensuring safety and following legal protocols, dismissing Sowunmi’s concerns as unwarranted.
